WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Senate passed a resolution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of James H. Meredith’s “March Against Fear” during the civil rights movement.
Authored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) the measure was cosponsored by Senator Thad Cochran to recognize the historical significance of this march by Meredith.
James Meredith was the first African-American to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Four years later he planned a march from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MS in June of 1966 that would challenge any fear that African-Americans had living in the southern states.
However, about a mile south of Hernando, he was shot three times. While Meredith recovered the march continued to Jackson as scheduled.
He later joined the effort to finish the march at the Mississippi State Capitol. He was joined by roughly 15,000 people which classified this effort as the largest civil rights demonstration in Mississippi’s history.
“In June of 1966, James Meredith did something truly courageous, playing a powerful role in Mississippi’s progress during the civil rights era,” Sen. Wicker said. “Transformative events like the ‘March Against Fear’ merit the highest recognition. Our nation is better because of fearless individuals like him, who were willing to pioneer change 50 years ago.”
The 220 mile walk took place on Highway 51 from Memphis Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi.
